THE Ministry of Health and six non-governmental organisations (NGOs) last week received a US$636,000 (approximately J$32.5 million) donation of medical supplies and equipment from the Southern Command Humanitarian Assistance Programme of the United States.

The NGOs receiving supplies were the University of the West Indies; St Patrick’s Foundation; International Proxy Parents; Northern Caribbean University; the Adventist Development and Relief Agency and Andrews Memorial Hospital Outreach Group.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony at the ministry’s warehouse on Shalimar Avenue in Kingston, US Ambassador Sue Cobb said the gifts included medical cardiac monitors, respiratory therapy systems and mobile ventilators.

“We are very pleased to have received so many crucial supplies and are delighted to turn them over to the Jamaicans who can best put them to use,” Ambassador Cobb said.

She pointed out that Jamaica was not the only country benefiting from this kind of distribution process as every year, throughout the western hemisphere, the United States Southern Command, based in Miami, make similar donations.

“These donations have provided humanitarian relief in numerous countries, and have substantially contributed to building stronger bonds with our neighbours, which of course, helps to enhance our prospect of peace and security in our hemisphere, as we can face the challenges of the future.

“We must always be cognisant of the reality that in Jamaica we may need to respond to human pain and suffering caused by the inevitable vicissitudes of nature,” the ambassador said, adding that living in a hurricane and earthquake-prone region, no one was more aware of this than the people of the Caribbean. She mentioned the devastation caused by tropical storms Isidore and Lilli in the island last year.

“When catastrophes strike, medical supplies are no longer taken for granted; they become absolute necessity,” the ambassador said.

Health Minister John Junor thanked the ambassador for the gesture of friendship, which he said, demonstrates the United States’ concern for those who are less fortunate.

Junor was particularly pleased that the donation, on this occasion, has taken into account the fact that there are a number of NGOs that are doing exceptionally good work in Jamaica.

The health minister also observed that although there was individual responsibility for health, there was also a co-operative process in getting the health message across and many NGOs have been carrying the burden of health promotion for a very long time.

“We in government recognise this partnership, we want to foster it, and we are very happy that through this donation we were able to co-ordinate donations which will be significant to their work,” he said.

The minister said the organisations should ensure that the equipment requested were usable and told them that the ministry would be willing to provide technical assistance in handling specialised equipment, which need proper supervision and technical know-how to operate.